Advent Sunday
On this Sunday the first Advent candle is lit in the home. It marks the first day of preparation for Christmas, and in Christian homes, the fourth Sunday before the Nativity. It is also the day where many cities in Norway celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree. In the town centre a large spruce tree is placed for a community celebration. Some trees are so big they need to be flown in by helicopter. On Advent Sunday the community gathers together to sing and dance around the Christmas tree. When the Christmas tree lights up there is always a big cheer and the countdown to Christmas begins.
You can read more about the Advent Season, view a video of the Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Tromsø, see pictures of a Christmas tree being flown in via helicopter, read about Advent candles and decorations in Norway from our Christmas Calendar Series and learn the Advent song sung at the lighting of the Advent candles.
It is not typical for Norwegians to put Christmas lights on their house, sometimes a strip of lights on the balcony, however, it is popular to light up a front yard tree with fairy lights. Whether it is an evergreen fir tree or a leafless birch, they all look lovely with a lace of snow. As the electric lights represent the traditional way of using candles on Christmas trees, normally white fairy lights are used. Some Norwegians wait for Advent Sunday to light their own outside Christmas tree, and some can’t wait.
A very Norwegian Christmas idea:
Lighting your own outdoor tree is a great way to put a little Norwegian into your Christmas. And because it’s the season, why not get the family together, hold hands and sing your favourite Christmas songs as you circle around the tree.
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In Norway, there are still Lefse recipes around from the 1630s! This is supposedly the traditional and original Hardanger recipe used:
Runes were the written language of the Vikings.
Our family activities have become traditional to the seasons…
Norwegian fjordings are from the draft horse family.
Flower Show Series: Arctic Botanical Garden Selection – Tromsø
Many English words actually come from old Norse language – brought by Vikings to England in medieval times. Here are some words you have probably uttered without realising you are speaking Norwegian!
The winter scene in the photo is beautiful. The lights of Christmas enlightens us during the dark season.
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from L-Jay:
I think that is one thing people who hear about the dark season don’t understand – (they need to see it to believe it) – that all the snow around reflects the light so well it seems like day. I can stand by the barn at 12 midnight during the dark season and see everything.